francisco rocky garcia

PHOTOGRAPHY

CLICK ON IMAGE TO EXPLORE PROJECTS

Top: Rocky Garcia,

Bottom: Ella

Portland Japanese Garden

Image by: TM Hatta

ABOUT THE ARTIST

francisco rocky garcia is a San Francisco native with deep roots in Chicago, blending the cultural richness of both cities into his unique perspective. A decorated Vietnam War veteran, community activist, and award-winning photographer, his life story embodies resilience, courage, and a relentless creative spirit. With a BA from San Francisco State University and an MFA from California College of the Arts, Garcia has developed a profound artistic vision. His compelling work has been showcased in prestigious exhibitions and featured in esteemed national publications — including the Studio Museum in Harlem, Eye Gallery, and The New York Times.

Through his powerful images, he explores the complexities of memory, social struggle, and the timeless beauty found within human connections. He uses art to process his traumatic memories from Vietnam. For his military service, he received the Purple Heart, Purple Heart Oak Leaf Cluster, and Bronze Star. Garcia draws inspiration from many artists, especially photographers: Max Yavno, Roy DeCarava, Fan Ho, Minor White, Helen Levitt, Dorthea Lange, Ralph Gibson, John Gutmann, and Ming Smith. His photos have appeared in The San Francisco Focus Magazine, ZYZZYVA, JAZZIZ, and Jazz Times. Rocky Garcia’s “Darker Than Blue’” featured on July 10, 2025, Jazz Journalists News, Photo Essay.

Most recently, he has been documenting his experience as a combat medic and conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. The project has included journeys back to Vietnam to revisit the site where he was wounded; portraits of Vietnamese war veterans, and images of his service dog, Ella, and the American landscape during a meditative road trip through the western US.

Nikon F3 HP 35mm body. Nikkor 300mm f 3.5 Lens

MAKINA PLUBEL 6X7

HASSELBLAD 500 CM

The majority of images from Darker Than Blue were captured using the Nikon F3 HP, paired with the Nikkor 300 mm lens, which was generously entrusted to me by Rick Sakuda (decades-old friend, where we were shop stewards). This combination enabled me to explore depth and detail with precision, highlighting the subtle contrasts and storytelling nuances inherent in black-and-white photography. The F3 HP’s remarkable reliability and the Nikkor’s sharp telephoto reach became essential tools in framing moments that resonate with timeless elegance, capturing both intimacy and the unspoken narratives within each frame.

EQUIPMENT, PROCESSING, & INFLUENCES

“My photography and printing focus on quiet moments—in a quest for grace."

–francisco rocky garcia

HASSELBLAD 1:5.6 250 (MM)

I still respect the advice Morrie Camhi shared before his passing. His “secret soup” is a special recipe. It changes Kodak D-76 by adding C-Chrone Additive to make C-76. This has become my go-to choice. This formula controls highlight development. It keeps subtle details intact and prevents blown-out areas. This helps manage strong contrasts and deep shadows, making it ideal for black-and-white nightclub photography;.

LINHOF TECHNIKA (4X5)

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold The Studio Museum in Harlem Hale Woodruff Biennial Crisis Magazine

"...the potent realism of Francisco Garcia’s riveting photographs is tempered with the transitory poetry of fragmented light. ...These disembodied sparks skip across the chiaroscuro of the print’s surface with the spontaneous improvisation of jazz notes."
Eric Whittington, owner - Bird & Beckett Books & Records“

“ Francisco Rocky Garcia’s ineffably beautiful photographs are a revelation, reminding us that so much incredible jazz was performed in intimate, dramatic settings throughout a time made recognizable in retrospect as been a fertile and rich as any period before or since.”
Jan Sunoo, Peace Skills Trainer

“Made our Day! Your darkroom skills and artistic composition/vision all come together beautifully. The notes are both amazingly detailed and informed as well as deeply soulful.”
Art Sato, KPFA Radio, Host

“It’s Absolutely beautiful!.”
Jules T. Allen, Retired Photography Instructor, Queens College

“Beautiful.”
Leon Sun, Visual Artist

“Francisco, your book, your photography is transcendent. So happy to know you. I feel both humbled and inspired! Really like the notes and anecdotes too.”
Brenda Paik Sunoo, Visual Artist/Author

“Thanks, Cisco! Now I plan to meditate more slowly on each photo! You are truly a gifted artist and soulful human being and special friend. James Newton with light on cheek and the sweat.” “Gorgeous.”
Raymond Colmenar, President of the Akonadi Foundation

“I love the book! It made me want to see the images up close and study all the nuances and hear the stories over cigars and whiskey,” “Peace.”
James Newton, acclaimed jazz and classical flutist, composer, and teacher

“Francisco Garcia’s profound photographic artistry captures his unique distillation of the human condition, teaching us more about who we are and what we can aspire to.”